Molding machine



Patented May 30,19 2 2.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

awuewtoz T. A. REYNOLDS. MOLDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MARI. 24,1921. 1,417,568. I Patented May 30,1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

l HHHHHHIIHHHWJM mm l 4 E avweuliz I V-IUNITED STATES RATE-NT}OFFICE;'

THOMAS A. REYNOLDS, or GRAFTON, PMNNSYLVANIA, nssreno-n rornE MeGONWAY & TORLEY COMPANY, or I'IT'I'SBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, acconronarron or PENNSYLVANIA.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, 'THoMAs A. REYNOLDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grafton, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful'lmprovements in MoldingMachines; and'I do hereby declare the 7 following to be a .full', clear, and exact de- 'scription of the invention, such as will en- 10 able others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to a molding machine and has-for its obj ect to produce a simple and *efiicient apparatus by. which molds or cores can be rapidly and economically made.

The principal features of the invention are embodied in an organization involving a chute for delivering the molding sand to an alined succession of. mold boxes which are intermittently moved from beneath said chute i-nto operative relation with a fluid pressure controlled ramming device by which I the sand is pressed in the boxes, the operation of the ramming device being controlled by the movement of a valve which. is operatively coordinated with the means by which the mold boxes are shifted.

A further feature of my invention consists in employing a fluid pressure controlled ramming device having a pressure cylinder which communicates with a'conduit through which fluid pressure may be introduced and permitted to exhaust, the said conduit being. adapted to be placed in communication alternately with a source of fluid pressure and 'with the'atmosphere through the instrumen tality of a valve device Whose movement is coordinated to that of the mechanism by which the mold boxes are shifted.

' A further feature ofthe invention consists in providingmeans for supplying the mold "which it is controlled throughthe tion of a conduit having a portion 'boxeswith loose sand in excess of thatrequired tofillthem' and in pressing the sand in said boxes by'means of a ramming device which is provided with a rammer head adapted to permit the escape of surplus sand.

A still further feature of the invention inrolves the operative connection'of the'fluidvalve by intervenwhich is pressure ramming device with the p movable with the valve.

' Another vfeature of the invention consists MOLDING MAGHiNE H 4 away.

in intermittently shifting a series of mold boxes. by means ofa reciprocating member \vhich'is adapted to engage successive boxes and Which'has a stroke exceeding the move-" Y I In the drawings illustrating the preferred form in which'I conteniplate applying the specifieatin Q I e t- Patented May 30,1922. I "Application filed March 24, 1921. Serial No. 4559235 principle of the inventio m'the scope whereof i is pointed out in the claims,'

Figure l is'a side elevation of a molding machine embodying the invention, portions ofthe' supporting legs or standards, of the [sand chute, of the fluid pressure piping and of the driving mechanism being broken I Figure 2 is a plan'view theapparatus shownin Fig. 1, parts of the sand chute and of the fluid pressure piping being omitted;

' Figure 3 is an enlarged 'view' in end eleration of the construction shown in Figs. 1

and 2, lortions of the. piping and "of the driving mechanism being omitted.

Figure 4 is a detail plan view of the 'valvemechanism andasso'ciated parts.

Figure 5 isa detail sectional view on the line. 5-- 5, Fig. 4.

Figurefi is a detail sectional viewion the line 6-6, Fig, 4;,the valve being in the position it occupies jYllQIl'tllB fluid pressure is being exhausted'from theramming device to the atmosphere. i

Figure. 7 is a 'view corresponding toFig. 6, but illustrating the positionof thevalve Whenfluid pressure is passinglto the cylinder of the ramming device;

' Figure 8 is a detail sectional view' ofthe rammerhead takenonthelin'e 88, Fig. 3. Theframework of the apparatus preferably consists of. laterallyspaced channel members 1 and '2; .res1'3ectively,- Whose backs are arranged uppermost in the same horizontal plane to form a support for aseries'of slidable mold boxes 3. The formof'm'ol'd boxes will, of course, varyv withth'e "form of mold or core to be'made', theIboxes illustrated elevated iirona the floor or foundatio'n to a 35 bolts 14.

may conveniently be formed as angle irons Whose horizontal flanges are riveted to the respective channel members 1 and 2, and

whose vertical flanges, which are adapted to engage the sideslof the boxes, are preferably of a height sufficient to enable them to extend above the tops of said mold boxes. The

guide member 5 is of less lengththan the guide member 6', thus enabling empty mold boxes to be readily placed in positionon the supporting'channels 1 and 2 at one end of the apparatus and permitting the mold boxes i containing the finished molds to be easily removed at the other end of the machine.

Extending upwardly above said guide members 5 and is'a frame affording asupport for a fluid pressureramming device '7. This frame may be formedof angle irons 8, 8 and 9, 9 which are rigidly connected at their, lower ends to the outer faces of the guide members and which arefirmly united at their upperends by being riveted to tie plates 10. Extending between the angle irons 8 and riveted thereto is aplate 11 to which the flanges 12 of the cylinder ramming device 13 may be secured by means of The chute 15, which may be secured in any desired manner, is positioned so as to deliver molding sand to the successive mold boxes 3 prior to their reaching the ramming device 7.

With the exception ofthe rannner head 16, the fluid pressureramming device may be, and preferably is, constructed likean air brake cylinder commonly in use upon railway cars; that is to say, the piston 17 within the cylinder 13 is provided with a piston rod 18 which is encircled by a spring 19 that by being interposed between the piston and one end of the cylinder normally operates to retain the piston 17 in a position coresponding to the elevated position of the rammer head 16. The cylinder 13 is'connected on one side of the piston 17 with a'pipe or conduit 20 through which'fluid pressure may be introduced into and exhausted from the cylinder.

The plunger head or rammer 16, which is secured to the outerend of the piston rod 18, is adapted'to press the sand in the mold boxposlt'ioned therebeneath when the piston 17 is forced downwardly by the admission of compressed air to the cylinder 13. When -the-air in the cylinder is. allowed to exhaust tothe atmosphere through the pipe-.20 the being delivered spring 19, acting upon the piston 17, causes a retractile movement of the rammer head 16 which elevates the latter sufliciently to allow the mold box in which the sand has been compressed to be shifted and a new mold box to be positioned beneath'the ram- Since it is preferred, as Will ming device.

to construct the apparahereinafter appear,

'tus so that the mold boxes 3 are supplied. with loose sand from the chute 15 in excess surplus sand is made by providing said head with a central opening 21. 1When, as in the case illustrated in the drawings, the mold boxes 3 are provided with interior stands immediately above the projection in the mold box upon which the ramming de-. vice is operating. This allows the pressure of the rammer head to be efficiently applied projections 22, the opening '21 injthe rammer head is preferably locatedso that it.

to press the sand well down in tne mold box. i

The mold boxes resting upon the supporting channels 1 and 2 are intermittently shifted thereon between the guides 5 and 6 to position them successively. beneath the sand deliverlng chute 15 and the ramming device 7. For this purpose it is preferred to employ a reciprocating member or shoe. 23 7 which rides upon the upper surfaces of the channels 1 and 2 upon which the mold boxes 3 are slidably supported. This reciprocating shoeis provided with a vertically extending portion 24: adapted to move into contact with each succeeding moldbox that is placed in position in the apparatus. The reciprocation of the shoe 23 thus causes the mold boxes to move through the molding machine in a step-by-step manner,*the sand to the boxes and being pressed therein while said boxes are at rest; The reciprocation of the box .actuatingshoe 23 is preferably effected by a pitman 25 which is connected to a continuously rotating crankshaft26 and tosaid shoe by suitable connecting pins 27 and 28, respectively. 1

To prevent thepossibility of any vertical movementof the reciprocating shoe 23, it is preferred-to attach to the, bottomjthereof, as by means. of :cap screws 29, a shouldered platev or block 30 which extends under the adjacent vertical legs of, the'channels 1 and 2.

-Each "of themold boxes 3, carries away from. the chute 15 a surplus of loose sand extending in. a layer above the top of the boxes. 'To this end the-apparatus is pro-' empty mold boxes.

is below the chute. This slide which is movable with the reciprocating shoe 23and isv preferably connected thereto by means of the pin or bolt :28, passes under the end of the chute in unison with the movement of the mold box as the latter is moved from beneath the chute to its operative relation .Wlth the ramming device 7.

This enables each moldbox to carry to the ramming dc vice a quantity of loose sand more than sufficient to fill the box. The slide 31 ispreferably made of plate-like form and of a width sufiicient to extend completelyacross the lower end of the chute 15, the delivery of sand to the next succeeding mold box thereby being .cut off until an empty mold box is in proper position below the chute. As shown in Fig. 1, the reciprocating member 23 by which the mold boxes are shifted preferably has a Stroke ofsomewhat greater length thanthe movement imparted to said boxes between their periods of rest. By this means ample clearance is provided between the reciprocating shoe 23 andthe adjacent end of the guide for the easyinsertion of For convenience in supporting the empty mold boxes 3 prior to their insertion in the apparatus in front of the reciprocating shoe 23, an angle iron 32 may be riveted to the supporting channeliron 1 so that its horizontal flange is in the same plane as the upper surface of said channel.

A scraper 33, which may be conveniently formed of an angle iron, extending obliquely between and riveted to the vertical webs of the mold box guides 5 and 6, respectively, is preferably prov the tops of the mold boxes 3 any surplus sand which may remain after said boxes have passed beneath the ramming device :7.

Excess sand accumulating and banking up I against'the scraper may be manually removed by the operator as occasion requires.

The operation of the sand ramming device 7 is controlled by means of avalve mechanism whose movement is coordinated, to that of the reciprocating shoe by which the 1 mold boxes are intermittently shifted. This valve mechanism preferably comprises an oscillating valve plate 34 which is y'aivotally mounted intermediate its ends on "abolt 35 carried by a stationary valve s'eat:36. The

latter is formed with'a port 37 'whichis con nected to a pipe or conduit 38 leading to an air compressor or other" suitable source of fluid pressure (not shown), and said valve seat is also provided wth a port 39 that is connected to a pipe or conduit 40 which opens to the atmosphere. The valve seat 36 may be secured by means of bolts 41 to an arch or yoke 4.2 whose outturnedlower ends are respectively secured to the bearings l-3 of the crank shaft 26yby means of bolts or Y cap screws 44. The oscillating valve 34 has communicating roller enters and cooperates with a cam is moved so that thepipe20 i's successively downwardlyzto press .the 1 sand in-the for that purpose.

ided for removing from meshes I with. a larger nately with the ports 37 and 39-.-respectively with the conduit '38 leading to thesource of fluid pressure and with-the exhaust pipe 40 leading to the atmosphere. 1

a port 45 which is adapted to register alter- I i The port. 45 is connected to the. conduit 20 leadingto the, cylinder. 13 of the ramming device, a portion 46 of said conduitybeingiflex- '3 ible to allow oscillation of the valve 34 and preferably being a section of rubber hose. On the opposite side ofits pivot fromthe port 45. the valve is preferably provided with a cam roller 47 which is revolubly mounted upon a pivot pin 48 projecting downwardly from the underside of said valve. This cam groove 4-9 formedin a sleeve 50lwhich. is,

each revolution of the shaft '26 the valve 34 placed in communication withfthe source of fluid pressure through the pipe 38 andwith the atmosphere-through the pipe 40,;the f I rigidly secured to the crankshaft 26.0 At.

pinion 53 which meshes with a-large'r pinion 54 that is mount,- v

ed upon a shaft-55 carrying a smaller pinion 56 at itsopposite end. This latter pinion pinion 5'7, secured to thecrankshaftQG. 4

It will be perceived'that no manual labor islre'quired' for the operation of a. molding. machine involving my invention beyond that required. to feed the empty mold boxes in boxes'therefrom. I

I',Cl t1mI, a I 1. vInaniolding-mach ne, the combination the apparatus andhtoremove the filled mold witlr:mold box supporting; means, of a series-of mokl boxes slidably supportedon said,means,reciprocatingmeans adapted to engagesuccessive'mold boxes: to effect an porting means stationary means for supplying sand to'siiccessive mold boxes, means movable, with said reciprocating means for controllingv the-supplyfofsand from said" "sand supplyingmeans, and means for press ing the sand in successive mold boxes. I

,2. In a molding machine,l the combination with moldubox'supporting means, of a series 'ofmold boxes slidably supported on said means, means #for' causing said boxes to move intermittent shifting-thereof upon said sup? successivelyginto alinemeiit with; an opening: .139

in a sand delivering chute and thereafter into alinement with a sand ramming device, a sand delivering chute for supplying sand away from said chute a layer of sand ex tending above the top of the box and a ram" ming devive tor pressing the sand in suceessive mold boxes.

In a molding machine, the combination with means for siidably supporting aseries of mold boxes, said means being provider with guides for maintaining said boxes in alinementg, of means for causing said boxes to move successively underan opening in a sand delivering chute and thereafter under a sand ramming plunger, means for intermittently shifting said boxes with respect tosaid supporting means, and means operatively coordinated with said box shifting means for causing said plungerto press the sand in one ot said mold boxes duringthe delivery of sand toanother of said mold boxes. i

4-. In a molding machine, the combination with means for slidablysupporting a series of mold boxes, of means for delivering sand to said boxes, a ramming device adapted to press the sand in said boxes, fluid pressure mechanism governing the operation of said ramming device, and means for intermittently shifting said boxes with respect to said supporting means to bring successive boxes intooperative' relation with said ramming device, said'ramming device involving a cylinder, a piston within said cylinder having a pistonrod provided with a sand ramming head, and a spring adapted to move said piston in one direction, and said fluid pressurexmechanism comprising a conduitcommunication with said cylinder through which fluid pressure may be introduced into and exhausted from said cylinder, a conduit connected to a source of fluid pressure, and a valve device operatively coordinated with said box shifting means for alternately establishing communication between the conduit-1 communicating with said cylinder and the conduitconnected to the source of fluid pressure'and permitting the fluid pressure in said cylinder to exhaust through said first namedconduit.

5. In a molding machine, the combination with means for slidably supporting a series of mold boxes, of means for delivering sand to said boxes, a fluid pressure controlled ramming device adapted'to press the sand in said boxes, fluid pressure mechanism governing the operation of said, ramming device, said mechanism including a valve, and means for intermittently shifting'said boxes with respect to said supporting means to bring successive boxes into operative relarice being provided with a rammer tion with said sand delivering means and with said ramming device, said means for shitting said boxes including a continuously rotating shaft, and said valve being adapted to be actuated by a cam mounted upon said shaft.

6. In a molding machine, the combination with means "for movably supporting a series or mold boxes, of means for supplying said boxes with sand, a ramming device for pressing the sand in successive boxes, and means for moving said boxes into operative relation with said sand supplying means and thereafter into operative relation with said ramming device, said ramming device being provided with a rammer head adapted'to permit the escape of surplus sand.

7. In a molding macl1ine, the combination with means for movably supporting a series of mold boxes, of means for supplying said boxes with loose sand in excess of that'required to fill them, a ramming device for pressing the sand in successive boxes, a

scraperbeneath which said boxes areadapted to pass, and means for successively movingsaid boxes into operative relation with said sand supplying means and ramming device and for causing them thereafter to pass beneath said scraper, said ramming device being provided with a rammer head adapted to permit the escape of surplus sand, and said scraper being adapted to remove surplus sand,

8. In a molding machine, the combination with means for movably supporting a mold box, oi means for supplying sand to said mold box, a ramming device for pressing the sand in said mold box, and means for moving said mold box into operative relation with said ramming device, said ramming dehead having an opening therein permitting the escape of sand;

9. In a molding machine, the combination with means for slidably supporting a boxes with respect to said supporting means to bring them successively into operative relation'with said sand supplying means and said ramming device, said box shifting means involving .a reciprocating member adapted to engage succeeding mold boxes and having a'stroke of greater'length than the movement imparted to said boxes between their periods of rest.

10. In a molding machine,

'tion with means for slidably supporting a series of mold boxes, ofmeans for-supplying sand to sald boxes, a rammlng device for pressing the sand in said boxes, and means for intermittently shifting said boxes on said supporting means to'bringthem succesthe combina- I sively intooperative relation with said sand supplying means and said ramming device, said box shifting means involving a reciprocating member adapted to engage succeeding mold boxes, a continuously rotating crank series of mold boxes, of means for deliver-' ing sand to said boxes, a fluid pressure controlled ramming device for pressing the sand in said boxes, fluid pressure mechanism for controlling the operation of said ramming device, a rotating shaft, and means actuated by said shaft for intermittently moving said boxes to cause them successively to be positioned in operative relation to said sand delivering means and said ramming device,

said fluid pressure mechanism comprising a valve adapted to be actuated by said shaft and a fluid pressure conduit operatively coinmunicating with said ramming device and said valve, a portion of said conduit being movable with said valve.

12. In a molding machine, the combination with means for slidably supporting a, seriesof mold boxes, of means for delivering sand to'said boxes, a fluid pressure controlled ramming device for pressing the sand in said boxes, a conduit through which said ramming device is adapted alternately to be in communication with a source of fluid pressure and with the atmosphere, a continuously rotating shaft, meansactuated by said shaft for intermittently moving said boxes to cause them successively to be positioned in operative relation to said sand delivering means and said ramming device, a pivoted valve having a port therein, a flexible conduit connecting said port to said first named conduit, a seat for said valve having a port therethrough which communicates I i with a source of fluid pressure and also having a port which communicates with the 7 atmosphere, and cam means carried by said shaft for oscillating said valve to position its port alternately in communication withv the respective ports of said valve seat.

13. In a molding machine, the combination with me-ansfor slidably supporting'a series of mold boxes,'said means being provided with laterally spaced equal length for guiding said boxes, means guides of un-' for deliver ng sand to said boxes, a ramming device for pressing the sandin said boxes,

and means for intermittently moving said boxes to cause them successively to be positioned in operative relation to said sand delivering means and said ramming device,

said ramming device comprisingv a cylinder which isarranged above said supporting means and is rigidly connected thereto,- and a piston having a rammer head which'is ment of said boxes. a y

14. In a molding machine, thecombination with spaced members forming-a hori zontall extending support for alse'riessof slidable mold boxes, of vertically extendmovable at ri.,ht angles tothe path of move ing guidemembers of unequal length respec- I tively secured to said spaced members and adapted to guide said boxes, a frame e'xtendy I 7s ing above said guide members, a chute adapted to deliver sand to successive mold boxes positioned between said guides, a ramming device adapted to press the sand in said boxes, and means for moving said boxes to.

bring them successively into operative relation with said chute and said ramming device, said ramming device being mounted on .said frame above said spaced 'membersconstituting the support forsaid slidabl'e boxes.

In testimony whereof I aflixmy si ature.

THOMAS A. REYNO as ns. 

